Louisiana PT Jurisprudence cheat sheet

Physical therapy is defined as the evaluation, examination, and treatment of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities through physical or mechanical means, including exercise, manual therapy, modalities, and instruction in functional activities.

The licensed physical therapist may perform evaluation, diagnosis of movement dysfunction, prognosis, intervention, and discharge planning; the physical therapist assistant performs selected interventions and data collection under PT supervision and may not evaluate, diagnose, or establish a plan of care.

Practice without a license, or use of titles such as "PT," "physical therapist," "PTA," or "physical therapist assistant" without licensure, is a violation of the Practice Act.

Licensure categories include physical therapist and physical therapist assistant; students and license applicants may practice only in board-recognized statuses such as student clinical education or a supervised provisional arrangement.

A physical therapist may perform wound care, electromyographic testing, and joint mobilization only to the extent those services fall within the statutory scope and the therapist's documented competence.

The practice of physical therapy includes consultation, education, and screening, but screening of asymptomatic individuals does not by itself establish a therapist-patient relationship or a plan of care.

Dry needling and other advanced procedures are permitted only where the board has recognized them within scope and the licensee holds required post-graduate training; scope questions are resolved by the board, not by employer policy alone.

Supervision of unlicensed assistive personnel does not convert them into PTAs; only a licensed PTA may carry out the PTA scope of intervention.

Initial licensure requires graduation from a board-approved physical therapy or PTA education program, a passing score on the National Physical Therapy Examination (or its equivalent for the category), and compliance with jurisprudence and background requirements.

Licensure by endorsement for an out-of-state licensee generally requires an active, unencumbered license in another jurisdiction, verification of that license, and satisfaction of Louisiana's jurisprudence and fee requirements.

Licenses renew on a fixed cycle set by the board; late renewal before expiration avoids lapse, while practicing on an expired license is unlicensed practice subject to discipline.

Continuing education must be board-approved and documented; licensees must retain certificates and attest to completion, and audits may require production of records.

Continuing education credit is generally not granted for repeated identical coursework, for unapproved self-study, or for courses lacking documented objectives and hours.

Under the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact, a licensee holding a compact privilege may practice in other member states without obtaining a separate license, subject to each state's practice laws and notification requirements.

A compact privilege is not available to a licensee whose license is encumbered or under active investigation; adverse action in any member state can restrict or revoke the privilege.

Name, address, and employment changes must be reported to the board within the period the board specifies; failure to keep registration data current is an independent ground for discipline.

The supervising physical therapist retains responsibility for the patient's plan of care, including initial evaluation, periodic re-evaluation, modification of interventions, and discharge.

Supervision level for a PTA is determined by patient acuity, complexity, and the therapist's judgment; the therapist must be available for consultation and must personally see the patient at intervals consistent with the plan of care.

Delegation to a PTA must be patient-specific and within the PTA's education, training, and competence; a PTA may not perform evaluation, diagnosis, or independent plan-of-care changes.

The PTA must report the patient's response to intervention and any change in condition to the supervising therapist, and the therapist must document the supervisory contact.

Unlicensed personnel such as aides may assist with non-skilled tasks (transport, setup, housekeeping) but may not apply skilled interventions or make clinical decisions.

A physical therapist may supervise only the number of PTAs and patients for whom safe and adequate supervision can be provided; supervision by telephone or electronic means is permitted only where the board allows it.

The supervising therapist must be licensed in Louisiana and physically present in the facility as required for the setting; supervision by an unlicensed person is not supervision under the Act.

Documentation of supervision includes the date, the nature of the contact, the patient status reviewed, and any plan-of-care changes made by the therapist.

Louisiana permits limited direct access: a physical therapist may evaluate and treat a patient without a physician referral, subject to the conditions and limits the board establishes.

When treatment without referral exceeds the statutory window or the patient's condition falls outside direct-access limits, the therapist must obtain a referral or consult a physician, dentist, podiatrist, chiropractor, or other licensed provider as permitted.

A therapist must refer the patient to an appropriate provider when findings suggest a condition requiring medical diagnosis or treatment outside the scope of physical therapy.

Direct access does not eliminate the therapist's duty to screen for red flags, obtain informed consent, and document the basis for proceeding without a referral.

Consultation with and referral to other providers must be documented, including the reason, the date, and the response where received.

Patients may seek physical therapy services directly, but insurers or payers may separately require a referral for coverage; payer rules do not change the Practice Act's scope.

The therapist must not continue treatment when the patient's condition is not improving or is deteriorating without re-evaluation and communication with the referral source.

Grounds for discipline include practicing without a license, gross negligence, incompetence, fraud or deceit in obtaining a license, and practicing outside the scope of practice.

Additional grounds include substance abuse impairing practice, conviction of a crime related to practice, unprofessional conduct, and failure to comply with continuing education or reporting obligations.

Any person may file a complaint with the board; the board may initiate an investigation on its own motion based on information it receives.

The board may issue subpoenas, compel production of records, administer oaths, and take testimony in the course of an investigation.

Investigative information is generally confidential until formal charges are filed, but the board may report certain actions to national databases and other jurisdictions.

The board may impose emergency suspension or restriction of a license when continued practice poses an imminent risk to public health or safety, followed by a hearing.

Sanctions include reprimand, probation with conditions, suspension, revocation, civil fines, and required remediation or additional education.

Failure to cooperate with a board investigation, including ignoring subpoenas or providing false statements, is itself a separate ground for discipline.

Informed consent requires disclosure of the nature of the intervention, expected benefits, material risks, alternatives, and the patient's right to refuse or withdraw consent at any time.

Patient information is confidential; disclosure requires patient authorization or a legal exception such as mandated reporting, court order, or a public health requirement.

Therapist-patient boundaries prohibit sexual contact, exploitative relationships, and dual relationships that impair professional judgment; romantic relationships with current patients are prohibited.

Patients have the right to be treated with dignity, to participate in care decisions, to access their records as permitted by law, and to be free from discrimination.

A therapist must avoid conflicts of interest, including improper financial incentives for referral, and must accurately represent credentials and services in advertising.

Mandatory reporting duties include suspected abuse or neglect of children, older adults, or dependent adults, and certain communicable disease reporting, in accordance with Louisiana law.

A therapist must not abandon a patient; termination of care requires notice, an opportunity for transfer, and documentation of the reason.

Ethical practice requires honesty in billing, avoidance of upcoding or services not rendered, and accurate documentation of the care actually provided.

Documentation must be contemporaneous, legible, dated, authenticated, and sufficiently detailed to permit another therapist to understand and continue the plan of care.

The initial evaluation documents the examination findings, the diagnosis or clinical impression, the plan of care, goals, and the frequency and duration of interventions.

Progress notes must record the patient's response to intervention, objective data, changes in status, and any modification of the plan of care.

Supervisory documentation must identify the supervising therapist, the date and type of supervision, and the PTA's report of patient status.

Records must be retained for the period the board and state law require; records of minors and of patients involved in litigation may require longer retention.

Corrections to records must be made by dated addendum or strike-through with initials, never by obliteration or alteration of the original entry.

Release of records requires a valid patient authorization or a legal exception; a summary may be provided in lieu of the full record where the law permits.

Reporting obligations include adverse events, suspected abuse or neglect, and communicable diseases as required by Louisiana law and the board's rules.

Standard precautions apply to all patients: hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection based on anticipated exposure to blood or body fluids.

Needles and sharps must be disposed of in puncture-resistant sharps containers at the point of use; regulated medical waste is segregated and disposed of according to state and federal rules.

Reusable equipment and surfaces must be cleaned and disinfected between patients using an EPA-registered product appropriate to the device and the organism of concern.

A licensee with an infectious condition that poses a risk to patients must follow board and public health guidance, including work restriction where required.

Advertising must be truthful, not misleading, and must not claim superiority or guarantee outcomes; licensees may not use titles or credentials they do not hold.

A licensee may practice only at locations where the required supervision, equipment, and licensure are in place; unlicensed settings may not be used to deliver physical therapy services.

Solicitation of patients through false or deceptive means, fee-splitting, or improper inducements is prohibited.

Facility safety obligations include emergency procedures, accessible equipment, and documentation of incident reports when a patient is injured during care.

The board sets licensure, renewal, endorsement, and compact privilege fees; fees are generally nonrefundable and must accompany the application.

Late renewal may require an additional fee, and practicing after expiration exposes the licensee to unlicensed-practice penalties in addition to renewal costs.

Administrative fines and civil penalties may be imposed for violations of the Act or board rules, in amounts set by statute or board rule.

Formal disciplinary proceedings follow the Louisiana Administrative Procedure Act, including notice of charges, an opportunity for a hearing, and the right to counsel.

The board may conduct informal settlement conferences or consent orders; a consent order is a public disciplinary action with agreed findings and sanctions.

Hearings are conducted before the board or a hearing officer, with the opportunity to present evidence, call witnesses, and cross-examine.

A licensee may appeal a final board order to the appropriate state court under the judicial review provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act.

Failure to pay required fees, fines, or costs can result in additional discipline, including suspension or refusal to renew until satisfied.

Physical therapy means the evaluation, examination, and treatment of impairments and functional limitations through physical or mechanical means.

Only a licensed physical therapist may evaluate, diagnose movement dysfunction, establish a prognosis, and design a plan of care.

A physical therapist assistant implements selected interventions and collects data under PT supervision and may not evaluate or modify the plan of care independently.

Use of the titles PT, physical therapist, PTA, or physical therapist assistant without licensure violates the Practice Act.

Students may deliver hands-on care only in board-recognized clinical education or supervised provisional status.

Screening and consultation are within scope but do not by themselves create a therapist-patient relationship or a plan of care.

Advanced procedures such as dry needling require board recognition and documented post-graduate training.

Unlicensed assistive personnel remain outside the PTA scope regardless of employer job titles.

Initial licensure requires graduation from a board-approved program, a passing NPTE score, and compliance with jurisprudence and background requirements.

Endorsement requires an active, unencumbered out-of-state license, verification, jurisprudence compliance, and the required fee.

Renewal occurs on the board's fixed cycle; practicing on an expired license is unlicensed practice.

Continuing education must be board-approved, documented, and retained for audit; credit is not granted for repeated identical coursework.

The Physical Therapy Licensure Compact allows a compact privilege to practice in member states subject to each state's laws and notification rules.

A compact privilege is unavailable to a licensee whose license is encumbered or under active investigation.

Licensees must report name, address, and employment changes within the board-specified period.

Failure to keep registration data current is an independent ground for discipline.

The supervising physical therapist retains responsibility for the plan of care, including re-evaluation, modification, and discharge.

Supervision level depends on patient acuity, complexity, and therapist judgment, with the therapist available for consultation.

Delegation to a PTA must be patient-specific and within the PTA's documented competence.

The PTA must report changes in patient condition to the supervising therapist, who documents the supervisory contact.

Unlicensed aides may perform non-skilled tasks such as transport and setup but may not deliver skilled interventions.

A therapist may supervise only the number of PTAs and patients for whom safe supervision is feasible.

Supervision by telephone or electronic means is permitted only where the board allows it.

Supervision documentation includes date, nature of contact, patient status reviewed, and plan-of-care changes.

Louisiana permits limited direct access, allowing a physical therapist to evaluate and treat without referral within statutory limits.

When treatment exceeds the direct-access window or falls outside its limits, a referral or consultation with a permitted provider is required.

The therapist must refer the patient when findings suggest a condition requiring medical diagnosis or treatment outside physical therapy scope.

Direct access does not remove the duty to screen for red flags, obtain informed consent, and document the basis for proceeding.

Consultations and referrals must be documented, including reason, date, and any response received.

Payer referral requirements do not alter the Practice Act's scope or direct-access rules.

Treatment should not continue when the patient is not improving or is deteriorating without re-evaluation and communication with the referral source.

A therapist may consult with physicians, dentists, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other licensed providers as permitted by law.

Grounds for discipline include unlicensed practice, gross negligence, incompetence, fraud in obtaining a license, and practicing outside scope.

Substance abuse impairing practice, practice-related criminal convictions, unprofessional conduct, and CE noncompliance are additional grounds.

Any person may file a complaint, and the board may open an investigation on its own motion.

The board may subpoena records, administer oaths, and take testimony during investigations.

Investigative material is generally confidential until formal charges are filed, subject to required database and jurisdiction reporting.

The board may impose emergency suspension or restriction when continued practice poses an imminent risk, followed by a hearing.

Sanctions include reprimand, probation, suspension, revocation, civil fines, and required remediation.

Failure to cooperate with an investigation or providing false statements is a separate ground for discipline.

Informed consent requires disclosure of the intervention's nature, expected benefits, material risks, alternatives, and the right to refuse.

Patient information is confidential; disclosure requires authorization or a legal exception such as mandated reporting or court order.

Sexual contact and exploitative dual relationships with current patients are prohibited.

Patients have the right to dignity, participation in care decisions, record access as permitted by law, and freedom from discrimination.

Therapists must avoid conflicts of interest, including improper financial incentives for referral, and must represent credentials accurately.

Mandatory reporting includes suspected child, elder, and dependent-adult abuse or neglect and certain communicable diseases.

Patient abandonment is prohibited; termination requires notice, transfer opportunity, and documented reason.

Billing must be honest, with no upcoding or charges for services not rendered.

Entries must be contemporaneous, legible, dated, authenticated, and detailed enough for another therapist to continue care.

The initial evaluation documents examination findings, clinical impression, plan of care, goals, and intervention frequency and duration.

Progress notes record the patient's response, objective data, status changes, and any plan-of-care modification.

Supervisory documentation identifies the supervising therapist, date, type of supervision, and the PTA's patient-status report.

Records must be retained for the period required by board rule and state law, with longer periods for minors and litigated cases.

Corrections are made by dated addendum or initialed strike-through, never by obliteration or alteration of the original entry.

Release of records requires valid authorization or a legal exception; a summary may be provided where the law permits.

Reporting duties include adverse events, suspected abuse or neglect, and communicable diseases as required by law.

Standard precautions apply to all patients, with hand hygiene and barrier protection based on anticipated exposure.

Sharps go into puncture-resistant containers at the point of use, and regulated medical waste is segregated per state and federal rules.

Reusable equipment and surfaces are cleaned and disinfected between patients with an EPA-registered product appropriate to the device.

A licensee with an infectious condition must follow board and public health guidance, including work restriction where required.

Advertising must be truthful and not misleading, without claims of superiority or guaranteed outcomes.

Licensees may not use titles or credentials they do not hold.

Physical therapy may be delivered only at locations with required supervision, equipment, and licensure in place.

Fee-splitting, deceptive solicitation, and improper inducements are prohibited.

The board sets licensure, renewal, endorsement, and compact privilege fees, which are generally nonrefundable.

Late renewal may carry an additional fee, and practicing after expiration exposes the licensee to unlicensed-practice penalties.

Administrative fines and civil penalties may be imposed in amounts set by statute or board rule.

Formal proceedings follow the Louisiana Administrative Procedure Act, with notice of charges, a hearing, and the right to counsel.

The board may resolve matters through consent orders, which are public disciplinary actions with agreed findings and sanctions.

Hearings may be held before the board or a hearing officer, with the right to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses.

A final board order may be appealed to state court under the Administrative Procedure Act's judicial review provisions.

Unpaid fees, fines, or costs can result in suspension or refusal to renew until satisfied.

Physical therapy is the evaluation, examination, and treatment of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities by physical or mechanical means.

Only a licensed physical therapist may evaluate, diagnose movement dysfunction, establish prognosis, and design the plan of care.

A PTA performs selected interventions and data collection under PT supervision and may not evaluate or independently modify care.

Use of PT, physical therapist, PTA, or physical therapist assistant titles without licensure violates the Act.

Students provide hands-on care only in board-recognized clinical education or supervised provisional status.

Screening and consultation are within scope but do not by themselves create a plan of care.

Dry needling and similar procedures require board recognition and documented post-graduate training.

Unlicensed assistive personnel remain outside the PTA scope regardless of job title.

Initial licensure requires a board-approved degree, a passing NPTE score, and compliance with jurisprudence and background requirements.

Endorsement requires an active, unencumbered out-of-state license, verification, jurisprudence compliance, and the fee.

Renewal follows the board's fixed cycle; practicing on an expired license is unlicensed practice.

Continuing education must be board-approved and documented, with certificates retained for audit.

Credit is not granted for repeated identical coursework or undocumented self-study.

The compact privilege allows practice in member states subject to each state's laws and notification requirements.

A compact privilege is unavailable during an active investigation or encumbrance.

Licensees must report name, address, and employment changes within the board-specified period.

The supervising physical therapist owns the plan of care, including re-evaluation, modification, and discharge.

Supervision intensity depends on patient acuity and complexity, with the therapist available for consultation.

Delegation to a PTA must be patient-specific and within documented competence.

The PTA reports changes in condition, and the therapist documents the supervisory contact.

Unlicensed aides may perform only non-skilled tasks such as transport and setup.

A therapist may supervise only the number of PTAs and patients for whom safe supervision is feasible.

Telephonic or electronic supervision is permitted only where board rules allow.

Supervision records include date, nature of contact, patient status, and plan changes.

Louisiana allows limited direct access, permitting evaluation and treatment without referral within statutory limits.

A referral or consultation is required once treatment exceeds the direct-access window or limits.

The therapist must refer when findings suggest a condition requiring medical diagnosis outside PT scope.

Direct access preserves the duties to screen for red flags, obtain informed consent, and document the basis for care.

Referrals and consultations must be documented with reason, date, and any response.

Payer referral rules do not change the Practice Act's scope.

Care should not continue when the patient deteriorates without re-evaluation and provider communication.

Consultation with physicians, dentists, podiatrists, and chiropractors is permitted as the law allows.

Grounds include unlicensed practice, gross negligence, incompetence, licensure fraud, and practicing outside scope.

Substance abuse, practice-related convictions, unprofessional conduct, and CE noncompliance are additional grounds.

Any person may complain, and the board may investigate on its own motion.

The board may subpoena records, administer oaths, and take testimony.

Investigative records are generally confidential until formal charges are filed, subject to required reporting.

Emergency suspension or restriction may follow when continued practice poses imminent risk.

Sanctions include reprimand, probation, suspension, revocation, fines, and remediation.

Failure to cooperate or false statements is a separate ground for discipline.

Informed consent requires disclosure of benefits, material risks, alternatives, and the right to refuse or withdraw.

Confidentiality yields only to authorization or a legal exception such as mandated reporting or court order.

Sexual contact and exploitative dual relationships with current patients are prohibited.

Patients have rights to dignity, participation in decisions, record access, and freedom from discrimination.

Conflicts of interest, including improper referral incentives, must be avoided.

Mandatory reporting covers suspected child, elder, and dependent-adult abuse or neglect.

Abandonment is prohibited; termination requires notice, transfer opportunity, and documentation.

Billing must reflect services actually rendered, without upcoding.

Documentation must be contemporaneous, legible, dated, and authenticated.

The initial evaluation records examination findings, clinical impression, goals, and plan frequency and duration.

Progress notes capture response to intervention, objective data, and plan modifications.

Supervisory notes identify the therapist, date, type of supervision, and PTA report.

Retention follows board rule and state law, with longer periods for minors and litigated cases.

Corrections use dated addenda or initialed strike-through, never obliteration.

Record release requires authorization or a legal exception.

Adverse events and suspected abuse must be reported as required by law.

Standard precautions apply to every patient regardless of diagnosis.

Sharps are placed in puncture-resistant containers at the point of use.

Reusable equipment is disinfected between patients with an EPA-registered product.

Licensees with infectious conditions follow board and public health work-restriction guidance.

Advertising must be truthful and free of guaranteed outcomes or superiority claims.

Licensees may not use credentials or titles they do not hold.

Services may be delivered only where supervision, equipment, and licensure requirements are met.

Fee-splitting and deceptive solicitation are prohibited.

The board sets licensure, renewal, endorsement, and compact fees, generally nonrefundable.

Late renewal may add fees, and post-expiration practice carries unlicensed-practice penalties.

Administrative fines may be imposed per statute or board rule.

Formal proceedings follow the Louisiana Administrative Procedure Act with notice, hearing, and counsel rights.

Consent orders are public disciplinary actions with agreed findings and sanctions.

Hearings may be held before the board or a hearing officer with evidence and cross-examination.

Final orders may be appealed to state court under judicial review provisions.

Unpaid fees, fines, or costs can block renewal until satisfied.

Evaluation, diagnosis of movement dysfunction, prognosis, and discharge planning are reserved to the physical therapist.

PTAs deliver selected interventions and collect data but may not establish or independently change the plan of care.

Title protection covers PT, physical therapist, PTA, and physical therapist assistant designations.

Student practice is limited to board-recognized clinical education or supervised provisional status.

Screening and consultation do not alone establish a therapist-patient relationship.

Advanced procedures require board recognition and documented training.

Aides and technicians may not deliver skilled physical therapy interventions.

Scope questions are resolved under the Practice Act and board rules, not employer policy alone.

Renewal requires completion of board-approved continuing education and payment of the renewal fee.

Continuing education records must be retained and produced on audit.

Repeated identical courses generally earn no additional credit.

The compact privilege lets a licensee practice in member states under each state's laws.

An encumbered license or active investigation bars use of the compact privilege.

Adverse action in one member state can restrict the privilege elsewhere.

Address and employment changes must be reported within the board-specified period.

Practicing on an expired license is unlicensed practice subject to discipline.

The supervising therapist must be licensed in Louisiana and available for consultation.

Supervision frequency and type are set by patient acuity, complexity, and therapist judgment.

Delegated tasks must fall within the PTA's education, training, and competence.

The PTA must report any change in patient condition promptly.

The therapist documents supervisory contact, including date and patient status reviewed.

Plan-of-care changes are made only by the physical therapist.

Unlicensed aides may assist with setup and transport but not skilled care.

Supervision by an unlicensed person does not satisfy the Act's requirements.

Direct access permits limited treatment without referral, subject to statutory conditions.

A referral is required when treatment exceeds the direct-access limits or window.

Findings suggesting medical disease require referral to an appropriate provider.

Informed consent and red-flag screening apply even without a referral.

Referral and consultation communications should be documented with dates and responses.

Payer rules may require a referral even where the Act does not.

Deterioration or lack of progress requires re-evaluation and provider communication.

Consultation with licensed providers is permitted to the extent the law allows.

Complaints may be filed by any person, including patients, employers, and other licensees.

The board may investigate on its own motion based on credible information.

Subpoena power extends to records, documents, and testimony.

Emergency action may be taken when continued practice poses imminent harm.

Sanctions range from reprimand and probation to suspension and revocation.

Civil fines and remediation requirements may accompany disciplinary action.

Noncooperation with an investigation is itself disciplinable.

Certain actions are reported to national databases and other jurisdictions.

Consent discussions must cover the nature of care, benefits, risks, alternatives, and the right to refuse.

Confidentiality exceptions include mandated reporting, court orders, and public health requirements.

Boundary violations include sexual contact and exploitative dual relationships with patients.

Patients may access their records as permitted by law and participate in care decisions.

Financial conflicts, including referral incentives, must be avoided.

Suspected abuse or neglect of vulnerable persons must be reported.

Termination of care requires notice, transfer opportunity, and documentation.

Accurate billing and honest representation of credentials are ethical requirements.

Each entry must be dated, legible, authenticated, and contemporaneous.

The initial evaluation includes examination findings, clinical impression, goals, and plan details.

Progress notes document response to intervention and any plan modification.

Supervisory entries record the therapist, date, supervision type, and PTA report.

Retention periods follow board rule and state law.

Corrections are made by addendum or initialed strike-through only.

Records are released only with authorization or a legal exception.

Adverse events and reportable conditions must be documented and reported.

Hand hygiene and barrier precautions are required for all patient contact.

Sharps containers must be puncture-resistant and located at the point of use.

Regulated medical waste is segregated and disposed of per state and federal rules.

Equipment and surfaces are disinfected between patients with EPA-registered products.

Advertising must avoid misleading claims, guarantees, and unearned credentials.

Practice locations must meet supervision, equipment, and licensure requirements.

Fee-splitting and deceptive solicitation are prohibited.

Incident reports document patient injuries occurring during care.

Notice of charges must inform the licensee of the allegations and the hearing rights.

The licensee may appear with counsel, present evidence, and cross-examine witnesses.

Consent orders resolve cases through agreed findings and sanctions.

Hearings may be conducted by the board or a designated hearing officer.

Final orders are appealable to state court under the Administrative Procedure Act.

Fines and costs are set by statute or board rule.

Nonpayment of fees or fines can result in suspension or nonrenewal.

Late renewal fees are separate from disciplinary penalties.

Physical therapist and physical therapist assistant are the two licensed categories under the Act.

The physical therapist performs evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, and discharge.

The PTA performs selected interventions and data collection under supervision.

Title use without licensure is a violation subject to discipline.

Students practice only in recognized clinical education or provisional status.

Screening and consultation are within scope but do not create a plan of care.

Advanced procedures require board recognition and documented training.

Unlicensed personnel may not deliver skilled interventions regardless of title.

Endorsement requires an active, unencumbered license in another jurisdiction and verification of that license.

Jurisprudence and fee requirements apply to endorsement applicants.

Continuing education must be board-approved and documented with certificates retained.

Audits may require production of CE records.

Repeated identical coursework generally earns no credit.

The compact privilege is subject to each member state's practice laws.

Encumbered licenses and active investigations bar compact privileges.

Failure to report address or employment changes is a disciplinable violation.

Delegation must be patient-specific and within the PTA's competence.

PTAs may not evaluate, diagnose, or independently change the plan of care.

The supervising therapist must be available for consultation during care.

Supervision frequency reflects patient acuity and complexity.

PTAs must report changes in condition to the supervising therapist.

Unlicensed aides perform only non-skilled tasks.

Supervision by unlicensed persons does not satisfy the Act.

Documentation of supervision is required for each supervisory contact.

Direct access allows limited evaluation and treatment without a physician referral.

Treatment beyond the statutory limits requires a referral or consultation.

Red-flag screening and informed consent are required in direct access.

Referral to a physician or other provider is required when medical disease is suspected.

Documentation should record the basis for proceeding without a referral.

Payer requirements may impose referral conditions independent of the Act.

Lack of progress or deterioration requires re-evaluation and communication.

Consultation with licensed providers is permitted within the law.

The board may investigate complaints from any source and on its own motion.

Subpoenas may compel records, documents, and testimony.

Oaths may be administered and testimony taken during investigation.

Investigative material is generally confidential until formal charges.

Emergency suspension may be imposed for imminent risk, followed by a hearing.

Sanctions include reprimand, probation, suspension, revocation, and fines.

Noncooperation and false statements are separate violations.

Certain disciplinary actions are reported to national databases.

Informed consent requires disclosure of benefits, risks, alternatives, and the right to refuse.

Consent may be withdrawn at any time, and the withdrawal should be documented.

Confidential information is released only with authorization or legal exception.

Sexual contact with current patients is prohibited.

Dual relationships that impair judgment should be avoided or disclosed.

Patients have rights to dignity, participation, and record access.

Abuse and neglect of vulnerable persons must be reported.

Billing must reflect services actually provided.

Records must be retained for the period required by board rule and state law.

Records of minors and litigated cases may require longer retention.

Release requires a valid authorization or a legal exception.

A summary may be provided in lieu of the full record where permitted.

Corrections use dated addenda or initialed strike-through.

Entries must be legible, dated, and authenticated.

Supervisory contacts must be documented in the record.

Reportable events must be documented and reported as required.

Standard precautions apply to all patients regardless of diagnosis.

Gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection are selected based on anticipated exposure.

Sharps are disposed of immediately in puncture-resistant containers.

Reusable devices are cleaned and disinfected per manufacturer instructions.

Regulated medical waste is segregated and disposed of per applicable rules.

Licensees with infectious conditions follow public health work-restriction guidance.

Advertising must be truthful and free of guarantees.

Practice locations must meet licensure and supervision requirements.

Application, renewal, endorsement, and compact fees are set by the board and generally nonrefundable.

Late renewal may require an additional fee.

Practicing after expiration is unlicensed practice subject to penalties.

Administrative fines are set by statute or board rule.

Hearing procedures follow the Louisiana Administrative Procedure Act.

Consent orders are public and carry agreed sanctions.

Final orders may be appealed to state court.

Unpaid fines or costs can block renewal.

Physical therapy addresses impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities through physical or mechanical means.

Evaluation, diagnosis of movement dysfunction, prognosis, and discharge are PT-only functions.

PTAs deliver selected interventions and collect data under supervision.

Title protection applies to PT and PTA designations.

Student practice is limited to recognized clinical education or provisional status.

Screening and consultation do not alone establish a plan of care.

Advanced procedures require board recognition and documented training.

Unlicensed personnel may not deliver skilled interventions.

Initial licensure requires a board-approved degree, a passing NPTE score, and jurisprudence compliance.

Endorsement requires an active, unencumbered out-of-state license and verification.

Renewal requires board-approved CE and payment of fees on the board's cycle.

CE certificates must be retained and produced on audit.

The compact privilege allows practice in member states under their laws.

Encumbered licenses and active investigations bar compact privileges.

Address and employment changes must be reported promptly.

Practicing on an expired license is unlicensed practice.

The supervising therapist retains responsibility for the plan of care.

Supervision level reflects patient acuity, complexity, and therapist judgment.

Delegation must be patient-specific and within PTA competence.

The PTA must report changes in condition to the therapist.

The therapist documents each supervisory contact.

Unlicensed aides may perform only non-skilled tasks.

Telephonic or electronic supervision is permitted only where board rules allow.

Supervision by an unlicensed person does not satisfy the Act.

Direct access permits limited treatment without referral.

A referral is required once treatment exceeds statutory limits.

Suspected medical disease requires referral to an appropriate provider.

Red-flag screening and informed consent apply in direct access.

Referral communications should be documented with dates.

Payer rules may require referrals independent of the Act.

Deterioration requires re-evaluation and provider communication.

Consultation with licensed providers is permitted within the law.

Unlicensed practice and practicing outside scope are disciplinable.

Gross negligence, incompetence, and licensure fraud are grounds for discipline.

Substance abuse impairing practice and practice-related convictions are grounds.

Unprofessional conduct and CE noncompliance are grounds.

The board may investigate on complaint or its own motion.

Subpoena power covers records and testimony.

Emergency suspension may follow imminent risk to patients.

Failure to cooperate with an investigation is a separate violation.

Consent requires disclosure of benefits, material risks, alternatives, and the right to refuse.

Consent may be withdrawn at any time and the withdrawal documented.

Confidentiality yields to authorization or legal exceptions.

Mandated reporting includes suspected abuse or neglect of vulnerable persons.

Sexual contact and exploitative dual relationships with patients are prohibited.

Patients have rights to dignity, participation, and record access.

Conflicts of interest and referral incentives must be avoided.

Billing must reflect services actually rendered.

Entries must be contemporaneous, legible, dated, and authenticated.

The initial evaluation includes findings, clinical impression, goals, and plan details.

Progress notes record response to intervention and plan modifications.

Supervisory notes identify the therapist, date, supervision type, and PTA report.

Retention follows board rule and state law, with longer periods for minors.

Corrections use dated addenda or initialed strike-through.

Records are released only with authorization or legal exception.

Adverse events and reportable conditions must be documented.

Standard precautions apply to all patient contact.

Sharps go into puncture-resistant containers at the point of use.

Reusable equipment is disinfected between patients with EPA-registered products.

Licensees with infectious conditions follow public health work-restriction guidance.

Advertising must be truthful and free of guarantees.

Licensees may not use credentials they do not hold.

Services may be delivered only where supervision and licensure requirements are met.

Fee-splitting and deceptive solicitation are prohibited.

Notice of charges must state the allegations and hearing rights.

The licensee may appear with counsel, present evidence, and cross-examine.

Hearings follow the Louisiana Administrative Procedure Act.

Consent orders resolve cases through agreed findings and sanctions.

Hearings may be held before the board or a hearing officer.

Final orders may be appealed to state court.

Fines and costs are set by statute or board rule.

Unpaid fines or costs can block renewal.